Here we are folks, the first game of the new year! The Boston Bruins (26-12-2) will go head to head with the Nashville Predators (18-18-4) for the last time this season in hopes of snapping their two game losing streak and to kick off this new year right.

But miracles guys, miracles do exist. Dougie Hamilton and Carl Soderberg will be back in the line up tonight, which will help bolster a struggling Bruins defense and give the team a much needed morale boost. With Dougie's return, Miller will be the healthy scratch tonight. As such, here's your projected lines for tonight:

Projected Lines

Team Overviews

Team: Since the last time we saw the Predators (Dec. 23rd), they have played 3 games through which they are 2-1, putting them on a two game win streak. They have 40 points now but are still at the bottom of the Central Division. Their goal differential has gotten worse (-24 vs. -20) and they are now averaging just under 3 GA/game and just over 2 GF/game. They are 8-10-1 away this season and this game will be the first of a three game road trip for the Preds.

Players: The team is struggling offensively with 18 of their 28 guys with negative ratings ranging from -16 from Josi, who had their worst rating the last time we played at -14, to a -1 from Patric Hornqvist. The other 10 players range from even to +2 (Colin Wilson). David Legwand still leads the team in points with 25 now off 6 goals and 19 assists while Craig Smith leads the team in goals with 11.

Goalie: Marek Mazanec is getting the nod tonight which is probably smart after they had to pull Carter Hutton 8 minutes into the game on Dec. 23rd. Mazanec has played in 19 games with a record of 7-8-1. He has a 2.67 GAA and a .907 SV%. For their sake I hope they don't have to pull Mazanec because their back up goalies aren't much better (in reality, they're just downright awful). Mazanec has an issue tracking the puck is and is a bit weaker on his gloved side.

Of Note: Mike Fisher has 3 goals and 3 assists in the last two games while Seth Jones has two assists and a +5 rating over the last two games.

Team: The Bruins, as we all know and want to forget, are currently on a two game losing streak. However, we still have the second highest number of wins at home in the league so take solace my friends. We have 54 points and are still at the top of the Atlantic Division. Our goal differential is +31, which is improved from the +25 from Dec. 23rd, and we are averaging 2 GA/game and about 3 GF/game, although recently these numbers have fluctuated. We are 16-4-2 at home this season and this is the first of two games at home before a tough road trip on the west coast begins next week.

Players: Our offense may be a tad bit shaky recently but 17 of our 28 guys still have positive ratings on the ice ranging from Iginla, who has led in the rating column for quite some time with a +17 to hitting +1. Our other guys range from even to Jordan Caron's (the bane of my existence) -5. David Krejci still leads the team in points with 35 points off 9 goals and 25 assists while Reilly Smith leads the team in goals with 14.

Goalie: At long last, Niklas Svedberg will get his NHL start after being sent back to Providence the day before his original debut date due to the Seidenberg injury. He should probably be a little careful in the locker room for now because god knows Tuukka is a bit upset about the last few games and we all know he hates Swedes (I mean, he trips his own Swedes in practice, let's be real.) But Svedberg has earned this shot with a stellar performance in Providence recently. He has a style similar to Tuukka Rask. He's played 48 games with a 37-8-2 record. He has a .925 SV% and a 2.17 GAA. It'll be fun to see how he does tonight.

Of Note: The members of the KIL line all have five game point streaks. Iginla has 4 goals, 2 assists in the last five, Krejci has 3 goals, 3 assists in his last five and Lucic has 1 goal, 4 assists in his last 5.

There's no point in getting too technical with tonight's keys to the game because really it's simple: don't do what we did against the Islanders. Do what we did last time we played the Predators and we'll be fine.

My Three Bruins Players to Watch

1. Dougie Hamilton: With this being his first night back it's obvious why I want to watch him. I want to see how he responds after being out for so long. I'm also interested to see how him being back in the line up will effect our defense. He definitely won't be playing any extra minutes tonight but I feel still feel like he's going to be a much needed boost for our defense and his strong presence on the blue line will be welcomed after what happened last game.

2. Niklas Svedberg: Of course I'm watching Svedberg. This will be his first real NHL game and you know the management is going to be eyeing him for future opportunities. He won't become a constant this season but this performance, if good (which I think it will be), paired with his stellar AHL performance could definitely put him in the running for the back up spot in later seasons. Not to mention Svedberg has an calm, confident, relatively aggressive tending style, which is similar to Tuukka Rask, which will of course be both helpful in the game and calming for us fans.

3. Reilly Smith: Reilly Smith was spectacular last time we played the Predators and despite the loss had some pretty good break out chances last game. His speed and puck handling ability gives him an advantage over the Predators that will help him establish himself in front of the net and pressure an already struggling goalie.

Score Prediction: 4-2 Bruins Win

Fingers crossed the boys are able to rebound tonight and put a stop to the losing streak (I think they'll do it.)